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Todd Akin rape flap could stir up defense

Akin's comments complicate a race between candidates with different ideas on defense. | AP Photo

In addition to a possible Senate shakeup, Akin’s departure from the House could result in big changes for the Armed Services Committee. Akin serves as the chairman of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee. And the next Republican in line for that post is Rep. Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), though it’s unclear whether he would get the job.

Hunter, who’s been eyeing the subcommittee chairmanship, has bucked his party on a number of key issues affecting the Navy. For example, he’s been highly critical of the Littoral Combat Ship and other key acquisitions programs.

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“He believes very firmly that we have to get back to the basics,” said his spokesman, Joe Kasper. “We have to get back to a Navy that has the right number of ships rather than these futuristic platforms that seem to be plagued with problems.”

Kasper added that “the subcommittee has been a natural fit” for Hunter but that “however it ends up working out, whether it’s the congressman or someone else at helm, he’s just grateful to be on a subcommittee that’s relevant to U.S. security and the San Diego community.”

As for Akin, the six-term congressman on Monday vowed to continue his Senate campaign, despite the increasing pressure for him to bow out.

On defense issues, he has been a major supporter of socially conservative causes, including the unsuccessful push to prevent the repeal of the “Don’t Ask, Don’t Tell” policy that barred gays from serving openly in the military.

But on defense issues that affect Missouri, he and McCaskill are on the same page: Both have worked to steer Pentagon contracts to the state, seeking increased funding for Boeing’s F/A-18E and F Super Hornet, a fighter jet built largely at the company’s facilities there.

Of the two, Akin appears to be the industry favorite. He has received $108,700 from defense contractors this election cycle, compared to $63,050 for McCaskill, according to a Center for Responsive Politics analysis of contributions from political action committees and individual donors.

Readers' Comments (15)

What kind of rape is legitimate? The one where the government sticks an ultrasound wand in a woman by law as was first passed in Virginia last year? Or allowing insurance companies to legally charge higher premiums for women. The party of slime balls really does show its truest form every now and then like in the scores of new bills they've passed since 2010 when we mistakenly gave them a new look and like this guys just give voice to this every now and then.

I'm for this guy. He represents the Republicans true feelings on the issue and I'm appalled by the resistance the main-stream party is giving him. My fellow Republicans should embrace him and continue to support him. He's a hero of the unborn. We need more heroes to step up like him.

Once again, there should not be any abortions...under any circumstance...rape or otherwise. THIS IS THE REPUBLICAN RULE...no exceptions.

When even Karl Rove's PAC up and leaves the state, you know you're cooked. Clare McCaskill said Akin's statements give us a window into his mind. Well Claire, I think it's more of a two bay garage door into the vacuousness of his intellect. The man is clearly not even up to the mental acuity of a Louis Gohmert, Trent Franks or Michele Bachmann. It's difficult at times to ascertain whether Rep Akin is a cause or a symptom of the declining state of our representation. Either way, he has no place taking part in it beyond voting.

Atkins should not resign. He truly represents the Repub party and the GOP plataform. Paul Ryan co sponsored a bill that would make birth control illegal because they want to make a cell person hood. Paul Ryan believes that abortion should be made illegal even in cases of rape.

Atkins represents the Republican party and they want him to resign because it is drawing too much attention to the fact that Ryan co sponsored with Atkins bills to outlaw abortion.

The problem is that Akin's views are now days mainstream in the republican tea party. That's why he sees nothing wrong with what he said. In fact Akin and Paul Ryan tried to pass a law redefining rape to make abortion even more difficult than it already is. No one should be surprised. If you got pregnant you wanted it, otherwise a magic secretion would have intervened. SICK.

At least Mr. Akin erred on the side of innocent life - if he erred at all. It never seems to shock me at just how quick many will almost foam at the mouth to kill a life still in its womb - having done nothing to anyone - and then fight like the devil to save someone from death penalty for say rape/murder of some poor woman - go figure?!

Those for so-called abortion death rights like to ease their conscious by thinking of a living and developing person as some sort of tissue, etc, and not a "real" person. But when IS IT a real person as we know that premature babies can be delivered months before natural death - and besides, does anyone know something in nature that is 'dead' and grows??

For those who support abortion death it's more about convenience and inconvenience - why not then just allow the person to finish development and put up for adoption where people are standing in line for a baby?! "Oh No - can't do that are the little rascal might come looking for me someday and give me an extra bad conscious...and besides, I don't want anyone to know."

Life once conceived is alive and real!! Thank you Mr. Akin that your heart is in the right place and not with those who degrade life - like the Nazi's for instance who in treating the Jewish people (and some others) as "non-human". YES - THE TRUTH HURTS, and therefore controversial sometimes.

Also - it would be interesting to know just how many of these who rape and impregnate a victim are actually "caught and charged" with the crime?? I suspect far less than claimed...